The Diana Award 2023: Stories of Bangladeshi young changemakers

The Diana Award, launched in 1999 in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, is given to young people who display the qualities of selflessness, compassion, and the willingness to go the extra mile for others, that Diana, Princess of Wales, has shown throughout her life. The Diana Award also puts a spotlight on the belief that young people can play a positive role in their communities. Hence, it is given to young people aged between nine and 25 who have been carrying out social work for at least 12 months. Many altruistic-minded Bangladeshis are doing humanitarian work that has a social impact, and this year nine such Bangladeshi youths have been awarded this accolade.

The prestigious award was presented to Ahnaf Abrar Husain, Abdullah Al Hasan Dipto, Jyotirmoyee Das Nova, FM Farhan Faiyaz, Jahir Rayhan, Rituraj Bhowmick, SK Shoaibur Rahaman, SM Mobin Sikder, and Nishat Sultana Chowdhury following a virtual revealing event. Let us find out about each individual's work.

With the belief that by empowering farmers with modern techniques and bridging knowledge gaps, SK Shoaibur Rahaman started 'AgSS' which is committed to revolutionising farming practices. This 24-year-old founder and CEO of 'AgSS' and receipent of The Diana Award 2023 is creating sustainable and innovative farming methods across Bangladesh. He stated, "Today's world is going through unpredictable changes and new issues are arising with time. Solving those issues is crucial, and in that regard young people have evolved as change-makers and are playing a pivotal role in making a sustainable social impact."

In the meantime, 23-year old Abdullah Al Hasan Dipto devoted his life to empowering marginalised communities in this country. Abdullah has worked hard to give back to those in need since he became a social worker, youth trainer, and human rights advocate. His efforts restored hope and opportunities for a lot of people, proving that small acts of kindness could turn into big changes.

A group of teenage friends led by Ahnaf Abrar Husain, 17, set out on a journey to make a difference in the heart of Bangladesh. They established Bhoroshasthol, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting the poor. They have been providing help and hope to individuals in need with compassion and determination.

Sometimes, the greatest acts of kindness come from the youngest heroes. Such is the story of Rituraj Bhowmick, a 10-year-old boy lovingly known as "Baap Ka Beta." Rituraj has touched the lives of countless people through his unyielding commitment to helping children in need. His selflessness serves as a reminder that age is no barrier to making a difference.

The humanitarian work of Jyotirmoyee Das Nova, a 24-year-old and one of this year's awardees, is a shining example of the power of education. Nova founded WISE (We in Science and Engineering) to break down barriers and provide quality education to children and youths from rural and disadvantaged communities. Nova says, "I vision for a world where everyone has a fair chance to access quality education. If we can make a place where people can grow, learn, contribute to society, and develop themselves and where opportunities and privileges are not disproportionately distributed, only then can we get there!" Their tireless efforts have helped countless individuals overcome obstacles and unlock their true potential.

In the face of adversity, FM Farhan Faiyaz, age 24, demonstrated resilience and leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite being a full-time engineering student, he founded the 'Porikolpona Foundation,' rallying a team from around the world to support daily wage earners during lockdowns. In times of crisis, Farhan's devotion has shown that anyone can be a force for good.

Science has no limits, and SM Mobin Sikder, a 23-year-old, showed this to be true. He created 'Science Bee,' one of the largest online platforms for science education in Bangla. This made quality education available to everyone. His journey proved how technology can bring positive changes.

Talking about positive changes, the fight for gender equality found its champion in Jahir Rayhan, age 24. His tireless work to end child marriage and gender-based violence touched the lives of thousands of young people.  Jahir, through his organisation "Youth For Change Bangladesh," raised hopes and challenged stereotypes in order to demonstrate that true change begins with a single person.

Finally, Nishat Sultana Chowdhury, age 24, and her friends founded the 'Ek Takay Shikkha Foundation,' providing education to underprivileged students. Nishat's vision to educate through the power of Tk 1.0 has brought about a movement highlighting the deep impact of concerted efforts.

People from every walk of life can be inspired by these young changemakers' stories. Tessy Ojo CBE, CEO of The Diana Award, said, "We warmly congratulate our new Diana Award recipients from the UK and across the world who are changemakers for their generation. These young people demonstrate that young people have the power to change the world."

Each story revealed a simple truth: all social activities, big or small, can change lives. Their projects have shown that change began with a single idea-- a spark of inspiration that ignited a fire in their hearts. In spite of their age or circumstances, these individuals demonstrated that everyone has the power to make a difference.

More and more young people can be inspired by the stories of these young heroes and embark on their own social endeavours. Whether it is supporting marginalised communities, promoting education, or advocating for gender equality, our actions can shape a better future. Let us honour the spirit of The Diana Award recipients by working together to create a world of compassion, empathy, and good change.

The writer is a final year student of Bachelor of Pharmacy at Independent University, Bangladesh.

 [email protected]